[CENTER][COLOR=CCCAAA][sub][h3]A R T E M I S C H A S E[/h3] [color=gold]◄[/color] HELSTON [color=gold]▎[/color] FRIDAY [color=gold]▎[/color] 26 OCTOBER [color=gold]►[/color][/sub][/COLOR][/CENTER] The sunrise was Artemis’ favorite part of the day—symbolizing a fresh start, while casting a faint, yet fervent, crescendo of warmth after a chilling night. The mornings were calming for her, savoring each glorified moment with meditative appreciation, even in the coming of the colder seasons. Her morning routine buried her past with tranquility, pacifying the darkness placed carefully in the back of her mind with the aid of habitual movements: making coffee with her breakfast, doing yoga after her workout, making sure Meredith takes her medication, etc. Artemis prefered the early start, which made it all the more easier for her to open up the bakery and welcome in the morning regulars. Artemis’ apartment shared the same building as the bakery, being just above it, in fact, located on a corner with heavy foot traffic, thus welcoming all the employees of the neighboring businesses. Some come and go within seconds, grabbing a quick coffee while others requested their pastries heated or their sandwiches modified. Artemis catered to the public pleasantly, rather enjoying it since it beat her previous work with it’s more innocent gratifications. The rush continued smoothly, resembling a typical busy morning which was seemingly redundant, but all the while, satisfying for her. The business had large windows that allowed the sun to light up the shop, adding to it’s cozy ambiance with delicious-looking pastries and the scent of comforting coffee. As time continued, the sun’s morning glow transitioned into its afternoon rays, signaling the end of the morning rush and the start of a midday break. A familiar face walked in, the bells on the door rustling together to sound his entry. [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Jayce, how are you doing today?”[/color] Artemis spoke softly with a glimpse of a smile. She averted her eyes to him for a quick moment, remembering that same, grey long sleeve that he wore two weeks ago, paired with tan joggers that he hasn’t washed since the stain from drops of coffee he accidentally spilt days ago. He copped a very skaterish fashion, dressing up his otherwise casual outfit with silver chains and expensive jewelry. Jayce always eyed Artemis before he would actually respond to her welcome, unaware that people could notice his eyes carefully scan over her appearance. She ignored it though. Jayce had that wide smile that he couldn’t seem to rid of in the presence of her, [color=gray] “I’m well! How is Ms. Artemis?”[/color] [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Oh you know,”[/color] she paused, wiping crumbs from the countertops into her hands, clearly tired of answering the same question all day, [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Same thing, different day.”[/color] Jayce chuckled, [color=gray] “I think the phrase goes ‘same shit, different day’.”[/color] Artemis released the crumbs in her hand into the trash, turning quick on her heel and responding abruptly, [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Well, I like to keep my language appropriate for the sake of my customers.” [/color] She mimicked his smile for a second, showing off her comeback with a little attitude. He shook his head, [color=gray] “Naw. I think it’s just that you don’t get angry. You’re too sweet for your own good.” [/color] [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Being angry is a waste of time,”[/color] Artemis retorted, uninterested in his dispute. She quickly poured his usual cup of coffee and handed it over the counter to him. Jayce reached over to take the offered coffee, [color=gray] “Yeah, well try saying that when someone comes at you with a knife.” [/color] After pulling her hand away, he quickly grasped it. Although it was with playful intentions, the comment attached made it darker, causing it to stir her mind with unease and irritation that was protruding from it’s shackles, yet she somehow subdued any defensive maneuvers that she would otherwise perform. Jayce chuckled, trying to lighten the moment from watching her expression fall into concern, [color=gray] “Relax, hun. I’m only messing with you.” [/color] He set down a large amount of cash for the small coffee. [COLOR=CCCAAA] “Watch out,” [/color] Artemis replied, coldly, [COLOR=CCCAAA] “You might lose that hand next time.” [/color] Jayce leaned in with a smirk, whispering seductively under his breath, [color=gray]“Feisty. I kinda like it when --.” [/color] In that moment, the ground shook with tremors. Ones that Artemis’ combative mind could only identify as a possible sign of invasion. The luminous light shined through the bakery, tinting it’s insides with color, but Artemis saw the hues coat everything with signs of danger, but also opportunity. In seconds, she removed her apron, moving to open the door to escort Jayce out of the shop. [color=gray] “Will I see you to--”[/color] she interrupted his question with the slam of the door. She locked it, turning over the open/close sign, and lowered all of the blinds so that the inside was well-hidden. Artemis rushed to shut off the appliances, running to the back to follow stairs up to the apartment. The T.V. played faintly in the background as Meredith rocked back and forth in her chair with knitting needles in hand. Rushing through to her bedroom closet, Artemis began to pull clothes out that buried a safebox with an intricate locking system. Unlocking it hastily to reveal expensive twin pistols that shined with luxury and intensity despite it’s cracks and scrapes from use. Beneath it lied a suit that had specific Devlon technology that aided in defense while being adorned with gadgets that went unnoticed by most viewers. Unfolding the incredible material, she eyed it’s thick fabrics with it’s thin, yet very protective, plating. Artemis took a moment to quickly suppress the playbacks that swarmed her mind from just the mere look of the previously used battle outfit. Artemis changed into it without dwelling on the memories, hiding the suit beneath a flexible, black turtleneck and black, cargo pants. As she looked herself over in the mirror, she only prayed that her attire wouldn’t become damaged enough that it would reveal the union colors of the suit. [COLOR=CCCAAA]“Meredith,”[/color] Artemis called out, stuffing clips of ammunition in her pockets while fast walking towards the living room, [COLOR=CCCAAA]“I’m going to be heading out there.”[/color] Meredith, calmly placed in her rocking chair and unshaken by the alert that sounded through the atmosphere, turned to Artemis with a look of concern, her hands still knitting away with ease, [color=gray] “You’re going to go out there? You normally decide to stay.”[/color] The expression on Meredith’s aging face portrayed innocence and worry, but Artemis knew what she had to do. Artemis moved in closer, kneeling down to grasp her frail hands gently, stopping her from her swift knitting, [COLOR=CCCAAA]“I know. I just--I need to do this. The reward could be big enough to pay everything off.”[/color] [color=gray] “It’s not worth putting yourself in danger. The bakery will provide just fine,”[/color] she insisted, rubbing Artemis’ callused hands with assurement. [COLOR=CCCAAA] “I’ll be just fine, don’t you worry.”[/color] Artemis spoke with the same tone, holding a gentle smile before pressing her lips against the back of Meredith’s hand. Artemis knew that the bakery wasn’t providing enough income for Meredith’s medical bills, so she felt that she could repay a great debt by providing to Meredith what she provided for her. [color=gray] “My dear,”[/color] Meredith paused, [color=gray] “I can see the fire that lies behind your eyes. It’s been there since the day I met you. I’m just afraid of what might happen when it surfaces. I don’t worry for your safety, I worry for your mind.”[/color] Her words were metaphorical, but nonetheless true. She had a way of speaking with wisdom, and what she speaks is truth. The truth of it was worrying, since Artemis hadn’t faced battle since her retreat from the union. Artemis pursed her lips, taking in the statement as best she could before pressing on, [COLOR=CCCAAA] “I’m going to give you this,” [/color] Artemis moved to place one of her pistols on the nightstand beside her, [COLOR=CCCAAA] “I will try to be as quick as I can.”[/color] Meredith chuckled lightly, [color=gray] “Don’t underestimate me dear. You know I can hear them coming from a mile away.” [/color] Artemis returned the chuckle with a hopeful smile. Meredith did have a strange sense of knowing when anybody was coming. As if she could hear them even before their footsteps, no matter how quiet they would try to be. Artemis took her phone out, opening a message from someone she now considers her ally: Venser. She replied. [center][code]______________________[/code][/center] [indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent] [sup][i][color=00a99d]2:10 pm[/color][/i][/sup] [code]I’ll be there soon.[/code] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [center][code]______________________[/code][/center] [center][color=gold] ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ [/color][/center] Artemis’ motorcycle roared as she sped through the streets. Her blonde ponytail whipped behind her with the tails of her olive green scarf that covered her face up until her crystal eyes. She felt a strange sense of home--within her union armor, rushing into the heat of battle with the enemy unknown. Although, she chose to bury that lifestyle for good reason. Upon reaching the site, she felt an anchor in her gut, similar to the one she felt during her betrayal to the unions. Artemis ignored it. She needed to do this for the sake of the reward so she casted the apprehension away and gazed off into the horizon towards the sounds of battle. Each gunshot brought back a ounce of her shackled being, while every explosion withdrew haunting memories of her past. It was hard for Artemis to find the balance between the woman she wanted to be, and the soldier she used to be. She shook her head. Eying the crowd, the amount of people were intimidating and it was almost guaranteed that none of them knew of Artemis since she laid low in Helston. After she reveals herself to the resistance and puts her abilities to use, she’ll potentially become recognized. Who knows what would be made of her afterwards. Her decision to participate with the resistance was quick, and she didn’t think the entire thing through--but Artemis had good instincts and everything would generally fall together in the end. Her hopes were still high. [center][code]______________________[/code][/center] [indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent] [sup][i][color=00a99d].[/color][/i][/sup] [code]I’m ready to do this. I need some sort of game plan. Where are you at? I just parked by the facility. I’m by my motorcycle. Haven’t approached anybody yet.[/code] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [center][code]______________________[/code][/center] She waited for Venser, hoping that he would help her in a plan to engage. Unsheathing her pistol, she held it in hand, trying to get familiar to its weight again, and trying to find comfort in using her talents again.